Pronunciation: /kæn.tɪˈliː.nə/

Definitions of cantilena

noun a smooth, flowing, melodious song or melody

Example Sentences

A1 I heard a beautiful cantilena sung by the bird outside my window.

A2 The music teacher taught us how to play a cantilena on the violin.

B1 The opera singer's performance of the cantilena brought tears to the audience's eyes.

B2 The composer incorporated a cantilena into the symphony, adding a touch of elegance.

C1 The cantilena in the concerto was the highlight of the entire performance.

C2 The pianist's interpretation of the cantilena was praised by music critics worldwide.

adjective relating to or characteristic of a cantilena

Example Sentences

A1 I heard a beautiful cantilena melody playing in the background.

A2 The singer's voice had a cantilena quality to it, making the song very soothing.

B1 The orchestra performed a cantilena piece that captivated the audience with its melodic flow.

B2 The composer incorporated a cantilena motif throughout the symphony, creating a sense of unity and beauty.

C1 The cantilena passages in the concerto showcased the virtuosity of the soloist.

C2 The conductor brought out the emotional depth of the cantilena section, eliciting a profound response from the listeners.

Examples of cantilena in a Sentence

formal The cantilena in the opera was beautifully sung by the soprano.

informal I love listening to the cantilena in classical music.

slang That cantilena was so catchy, it's been stuck in my head all day.

figurative Her speech had a cantilena-like quality, flowing smoothly and melodically.

Grammatical Forms of cantilena

plural

cantilenas

comparative

more cantilena

superlative

most cantilena

present tense

cantilena

future tense

will cantilena

perfect tense

has cantilena

continuous tense

is cantilenaing

singular

cantilena

positive degree

cantilena

infinitive

to cantilena

gerund

cantilenaing

participle

cantilenaed

Origin and Evolution of cantilena

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Italian/Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'cantilena' originated from Italian, derived from the Latin word 'cantilena' meaning 'song' or 'melody'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used to refer to a simple song or melody, 'cantilena' evolved over time to also describe a musical passage that is melodious and lyrical in nature.